2026 Best International Relations Schools in the Southwest Region
International Relations degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best international relations schools.
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Best Schools for International Relations in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall international relations education in the Southwest Region.
Top Schools in International Relations
The University Of Texas At Austin is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in international relations. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 53 international relations students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $61,625. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans.
Read more about the international relations program at The University Of Texas At Austin
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 109 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $62,296. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in international relations from Texas A And M University College Station
Rice University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in international relations, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Rice University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Rice University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Rice University earn around $82,320 in the first couple years of their career. Rice University graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans.
Get the full international relations details for Rice University
Students looking for a strong international relations program will find one at Arizona State University Skysong, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public university. About 54 international relations degrees were awarded at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $68,957 in their early career. Arizona State University Skysong graduates carry a median of $23,742 in student loans.
Get the full international relations details for Arizona State University Skysong
Baylor University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international relations, ranking #5. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Waco. Baylor University graduates 80% of students within six years. Baylor University awarded about 34 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Baylor University earn around $37,507 in the first couple years of their career. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $22,409 in student loans.
More information about a degree in international relations from Baylor University
Northern Arizona University landed the #6 spot for international relations this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. Northern Arizona University awarded about 23 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $29,924. Students borrow a median of $20,632 to complete this degree.
See the full international relations program report for Northern Arizona University
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott earned the #7 position for international relations this year. Set in the city of Prescott, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott graduates 68% of students within six years. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott awarded about 55 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott earn a median of $46,868 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,901.
Read more about the international relations program at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #8 for international relations this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Marcos. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 12 international relations degrees were awarded at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $20,547 in their early career. Texas State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $18,344 in student loans.
Read more about the international relations program at Texas State University San Marcos
St Marys University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. St Marys University graduates 59% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 international relations students who graduated with this degree at St Marys University in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of St Marys University earn a median of $56,547 early in their careers. St Marys University graduates carry a median of $25,040 in student loans.
Read more about the international relations program at St Marys University
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #10 spot for international relations this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Antonio. The University Of Texas At San Antonio graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 35 international relations students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At San Antonio in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn around $25,879 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Texas At San Antonio graduates carry a median of $24,343 in student loans.
See the full international relations program report for The University Of Texas At San Antonio
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 23 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
